3 ms·

you're not sounding crazy at all. I've lived the life of startup culture within the D.o.D. apparatus. We started with solving a problem in our office, was told

you're not sounding crazy at all. I've lived the life of startup culture within the D.o.D. apparatus. We started with solving a problem in our office, was told we couldn't use the product unless we made a requirement and let companies bid on it (only primes were told about it). It was a horrible experience. Fortunately we were able to leave the agency and bid on the exact contract. Needless to say, we had a prototype functioning and everyone else were pitching man power requirements and not even close. The reality is, after securing the contract, we still needed a prime to serve as our SSO and ultimately were acquired by one due to headaches managing contracts. We made money, but weren't happy. One issue as you mentioned was when we applied the logic in in our process to other agencies, they have completely different requirements that weren't in line (over fundamentals not the output). It created an all or none commitment to multiple builds for multiple agencies. Even our development processes had to be documented differently. It's a big part of why I left govt contracting and have only supported state level for the most part (unless it's a sole source research project type deal, and those are very very small financially).

MilStdJunkie 3y ago
It's a trope, but in this case actually the real truth, that hearing you say that makes me feel better. Thanks for that. Double edged sword though. I "feel better" because for a moment I don't have that feeling like I've been snookered into wasting my life on pointless garbage spiced with mild fraud. Yay! It's normal! This is just the way it is - that can't be so bad! But in a certain way that's kind of worse, because it means it's everywhere. It leaves me godlessly praying harder-than-usual that the Chinese are even more corrupt and hopeless at making complex things. Then I look at my laptop, and at my phone, and at . . my everything . . ah, crap. OK, let's just "feel better" for one second before going back to the default. Hell, look at the Mk14 Torpedo, we managed through that! That's what we're doin' now. Thank you again, and may you steer clear of defense contracting[1] forever more. [1] As it is currently practiced - not in a future "fixed" state, where everyone should be able to pile in.

MilStdJunkie 3y ago

It's a trope, but in this case actually the real truth, that hearing you say that makes me feel better. Thanks for that. Double edged sword though. I "feel better" because for a moment I don't have that feeling like I've been snookered into wasting my life on pointless garbage spiced with mild fraud. Yay! It's normal! This is just the way it is - that can't be so bad! But in a certain way that's kind of worse, because it means it's everywhere. It leaves me godlessly praying harder-than-usual that the Chinese are even more corrupt and hopeless at making complex things. Then I look at my laptop, and at my phone, and at . . my everything . . ah, crap. OK, let's just "feel better" for one second before going back to the default. Hell, look at the Mk14 Torpedo, we managed through that! That's what we're doin' now. Thank you again, and may you steer clear of defense contracting[1] forever more. [1] As it is currently practiced - not in a future "fixed" state, where everyone should be able to pile in.